Numerous arrests mark 'Unofficial' event at U. of I.

March 08, 2009

Champaign Police reported 267 citations associated with the University of Illinois tradition known as "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" as of Saturday morning, but officials said today they were still compiling data and the actual number is sure to be much higher.

Over the years the 13-year-old event has morphed into a two-day drinking binge across Campustown that draws both local students and out-of-town party-goers.

Police this year focused their street presence on private parties in which organizers were charging for alcohol, said Champaign Police Sgt. Scott Friedlein.

Leading up to the event, known simply as "Unofficial" for short, officers were told not to take days off, he said. Many officers took overtime shifts and additional police from the university, the Illinois State Police, the Champaign County Sheriff's department, the state Liquor Control Commission and several neighboring departments also came to Champaign to help, Friedlein said.

There were 199 citations issued during last year's celebration -- for underage drinking, possession of alcohol on a public way and other violations, according to Champaign city officials.

Though the numbers for this year had yet to be fully compiled, Friedlein said, "I can assure you it's much higher than that this year."

Friedlein said preliminary analysis seem to indicate that only about 35 to 40 percent of the citations were made to U. of I. students. The department will release final figures Monday, he said.

Of the 267 citations totalled as of early Saturday, 103 were for public possession of alcohol and 106 were for underage drinking.

On Friday evening, a man in his 20s fell three stories after attempting to climb from a third floor balcony to a fourth floor balcony. He was hospitalized and police were investigating the incident.